My Introduction ( I need expert advice )

[oldmtlhed]

A Katana clip I recorded a while ago:

Sounds like something Ola Englund would do.
The tone is kinda dark and "djenty" for my tastes.

 

[oldmtlhed]

Check this...as I said earlier...

Yeah, I think that would be great. Too bad they don't make it anymore.

 

[oldmtlhed]

What's the problem with an amp getting warm??
You don't live in the artic do you?
Just kidding...

If I lived in the arctic... that would be okay. The hot amp could be a space heater!
But I don't live in the arctic. I live in the desert. Very HOT here now.
I don't need a space heater!

 

[Deadpool_25]

Sounds like the overwhelming favorite is the Katana. What desert? Do you have a GC or Sam Ash or other music store with a decent return policy nearby? Have them get you a Katana (might even have them in stock...I definitely saw one at Sam Ash) and return it in a week if you don't like it.

 

[oldmtlhed]

Welcome to the board.
Great taste in guitarists.
I Love Symphony X - great compositions and musical performance - but was never a huge fans of Romeos actual tone. It is greta in the mix, but... I dunno something always bugged me about it.
If you're trying to cop his Iconoclast tone, I think that was just when he switched to ENGL and prior to that was using the Line 6 stuff - Vetta, believe it or not. the first time they played Progpower in Atlanta - that was his rig. The last time, it was ENGL.

ROMEO used MESA Tri-AXIS to record the earlier Symphony X albums.
He used Vetta on tour for live shows because of the flexibility and convenience.
Now, all he uses is ENGL and Caparison guitars. I believe he is endorsed by both companies.
When Romeo switched to ENGL... his tone improved greatly. The guitar tone on "Iconoclast" just
rips your face off.
Years ago, Romeo showed me his guitars. He used the DiMarzio X2N humbucker.
He told me he did not like the fizzy sound of EMG active pickups, he likes passive pickups.
SO... naturally, I put a X2N in the bridge position of my Ibanez RG, and I love it.

Speaking of guitarists... THIS video makes me want to toss my gear in the nearest dumpster:

And THIS guy managed to do an excellent job covering one of my favorite Symphony X songs:

 

[oldmtlhed]

Sounds like the overwhelming favorite is the Katana. What desert? Do you have a GC or Sam Ash or other music store with a decent return policy nearby? Have them get you a Katana (might even have them in stock...I definitely saw one at Sam Ash) and return it in a week if you don't like it.

I am in Arizona.
Yeah, the KATANA looks like the favorite so far. It's not too expensive, and it's a "swiss army knife" solution.
It may not be the best at anything, but it looks like it can do most everything, and do it fairly well.
I see myself spending days and weeks just tweaking all the settings and messing with TONE CENTRAL software.
Effects loop means I can use my Gmajor rack unit, and the head will go nicely with my Peavey 4x12 cab.
I just hope it sounds great at LOW volumes. If I have to crank it to get it to sound good... it will be money wasted.
I will have to get the floor pedal, because I want to save presets and just step on a button to change sounds.
Just being able to do THAT will make a huge difference for me. KATANA has 4 presets. I like that.

As I said in my earlier post... I have no guitar stores anywhere near me. Nearest GeetarCenter is a 3-hour drive.
Anything I buy, I will have to order it, and wait for the big brown UPS truck to bring it to my house.
If I end up hating it... I have to box it back up, and ship it back.

 

[oldmtlhed]

This guy cracks me up. What an awesome job of demo-ing a rig!
Then I went and checked out the pricetag for that amp. Hahahahaha!

SO... if I can get anywhere near this sound with a $200 PEDAL......

 

[Racerxrated]

Katana for sure. Very tubelike and just plain sounds good.

 

[godgrinder]

SO... if I can get anywhere near this sound with a $200 PEDAL......

Probably not. Just note in that demo both amps Pete used were $3000.

 

[oldmtlhed]

SO... if I can get anywhere near this sound with a $200 PEDAL......

Probably not. Just note in that demo both amps Pete used were $3000.

Exactly. Plus, Pete is an amazing player. He can make a cigar-box banjo sound badass.

 

[oldmtlhed]

Katana for sure. Very tubelike and just plain sounds good.

I'm going to give it a shot. I wanted one since they came out.
I think it will be exactly what I am looking for, and it's in my price range.

I wanted the 50-watt combo, but they stripped it to get the price down.
I want 4-channel presets. I want an effects loop. I want the "presence" control.
I don't need 100-watts, but I might as well just get the head for the functionality.

It may be the last amp I buy. I haven't bought any guitar gear in 20 years.
( Except strings and a cable or two. )

Talk about G.A.S.

 

[oldmtlhed]

Browsing this forum has shown me something.
You people spend ridiculous amounts of money on GEAR.
I squirm just thinking about spending $500. SQUIRM I tell ya!